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Soup Kitchen International, the creators of the Zagat-rated soups of Al Yeganeh, the legendary soup man who inspired the "Soup Episode" on Seinfeld, and Cold Stone Creamery announced yesterday the grand opening of the first The Original SoupMan/Cold Stone Creamery in New York City on Friday, November 16. Recent Penn State graduate Daniel Petryszyn is opening the first hybrid, co-branded franchise that will feature both The Original SoupMan's world-renowned soups and Cold Stone Creamery's super-premium ice cream.

Petryszyn's Original SoupMan/Cold Stone Creamery, in addition to ice cream, will showcase Yeganeh's 50 varieties of soup as the "centerpiece of the meal." Each meal will be presented with a piece of fresh, crusty baguette, fresh fruit, and a piece of imported chocolate--just like Al Yeganeh served it at his original shop. As Yeganeh explains it, this is simply "the way to eat." Alongside Yeganeh's 50 varieties of soup there will also be an extensive line of gourmet salads and sandwiches.

"Customers demand choice and innovation," says Dan Beem, Cold Stone Creamery President. "We are pleased and excited to explore these opportunities with the Original SoupMan to introduce both the highest quality, most creative ice cream experience alongside premium, gourmet soups, all under one roof."

During Petryszyn's grand opening ceremony one customer will win a free cup of soup every day for the rest of his life while another customer will win a free cup of ice cream every day for a year as part of the Soup/Ice Cream Raffle drawing. In addition, the first 100 customers will receive a gift bag stuffed with free merchandise.

The Original SoupMan will also donate $1,500 on behalf of Yeganeh's charity, Al's Feed the Hungry Foundation", to "City Harvest, the world's first and New York City's only food rescue program. Feed the Hungry Foundation donates funds to local hunger charities every time a new Original SoupMan location opens. The charity is headed up by Baseball Hall of Fame legend, Reggie Jackson.